SITE INTEGRATION

 

Situated on the Tharwa seafront, this location embodies a
convergence of natural and cultural forces that define Saudi Arabia’s evolving
identity. The site captures the dynamic relationship between the arid desert
and the vibrant coastline, highlighting the balance between tradition and
modernity. Here, the artwork engages with the environment’s elemental
contrasts—earth, water, and sky—inviting reflection on renewal, resilience, and
connection. By embracing this unique intersection, the sculpture becomes a
symbol of continuity and transformation, anchoring the past while reaching
toward the nation’s future along its expanding maritime frontier.

 

 

CONCEPT DESIGN

Set against the vast expanse of the Saudi
desert, this sculpture emerges as a contemporary tribute to the nation’s
enduring relationship with water, shade, and life. Two corten steel plaques
form an elongated oval, their surfaces weathered to a warm, earthy patina that
resonates with the desert’s natural palette. Each plaque is cut open at both
ends, creating a visual and physical passage toward the center — a space that
holds a water source in an oval basin, surrounded by Acacia tortilis trees,
whose broad canopies cast generous shade.

The work draws from the cultural and
historical role of the oasis in Arabia: a place of refuge, exchange, and
connection. In ancient times, oases sustained caravans and communities, shaping
the routes of trade and the flow of culture. Today, in a rapidly modernizing
Saudi Arabia, this sculpture reframes the oasis as a symbol of balance —
between tradition and progress, nature and innovation.

The corten steel, industrial yet organic in
tone, speaks to the nation’s modern infrastructure and ambition, while the
living elements embody continuity and renewal. Together, they form a vision
that honors heritage, engages the present, and inspires a sustainable future in
harmony with the desert’s timeless beauty.